[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 94 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF ANTHONY ``TONY'' POLITO FOR HIS LIFETIME OF SERVICE 
               TO THE ARCHBALD COMMUNITY AND YOUTH SPORTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Anthony ``Tony'' 
Polito, a lifelong resident of Archbald, Pennsylvania and champion of 
youth athletics. Tony will be recognized for his decades of service to 
his community with the dedication of the new Tony Polito Field House at 
the Archbald Community Sports Complex on Saturday, May 29, 2021.
  Tony was born on May 27, 1932 to Theresa and James Vincent Polito, 
Italian immigrants who settled in Archbald. Tony went to Archbald High 
School where he stood out as a star athlete on both the baseball and 
football teams. He was an All-Star player on the baseball team from 
1948 to 1950, and batting, left-handed, he was one of the league's 
leading hitters. When not leading off at the plate, he was the starting 
centerfielder. In 1949, he helped lead the team to a championship in 
the Northern Division of the Lackawanna Baseball League. He was a 
starting player on many of the top teams in the region such as the 
Eynon Indians, the Dutch Hill AC, and the Carbondale South Side 
Clippers. He also played American Legion Baseball for the Eynon Legion.
  On the football field, he was a quarterback and halfback for the 
Archbald High School Rams. Prior to being sidelined with an injury, he 
was a top scorer in the conference, and as linebacker, he led the team 
in tackles. For his efforts on the field, he was named team captain and 
voted most athletic in his class.
  After graduating with the Class of 1950, Tony answered the call of 
duty and joined the United States Army. During the Korean War, he 
served as a demolition expert. Following his military service, Tony 
spent his professional career as a production control specialist at 
Lockheed Martin's Archbald location before retiring after 40 years with 
the company.
  As a former standout high school athlete, Tony sought to encourage 
young athletic talent in his community. For nearly four decades, he has 
been actively involved in youth athletics as a coach, mentor, and fan. 
He shared his extensive baseball knowledge and experience as the coach 
of a little league team, and he assisted with administrative tasks and 
field maintenance for the league. He has advised generations of players 
and coaches to help them reach their full potential in the sport. For 
his contributions, he has been recognized with a flagpole dedicated in 
his name at the Laurel Street complex and a banner on the fence of the 
Archbald Community Sports Complex field. In 2003, Tony was inducted 
into the Archbald Athletic Hall of Fame.
  Tony was supported in his community efforts by his late wife, Lois 
Bishop Polito. Together they had four children, ten grandchildren, and 
four great-grandchildren.
  I am honored to join Tony's family and community in recognizing his 
steadfast dedication to youth sports and the Archbald community. May 
future generations of athletes, coaches, mentors, and community leaders 
be inspired by Tony's lifetime of service.

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